Wall Street (20th Anniversary Edition)

 

 

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Wall Street:once run during a famous,successful,and even beloved era in history:the Reagan era. An intruiging setting that has a lot to be offered for on camera.

And,in "Wall Street",that setting is offered to the fullest. The main character of "Wall Street",Bud Fox(Charlie Sheen)has seen some rough patches in his own life. Yet,at the same time,he is a successful broker. Whether it's Bud Fox creating his own success--or building it off of someone or something else--without a doubt--Fox is one of the most talented and influential brokers on Wall Street.

And then,before Bud Fox knows it,his luck takes a spin around the corner. This is when Bud Fox finds his new client to be a man named Gordon Gekko(Michael Douglas,in an Academy Award winning role passed up by both Richard Gere and Warren Beatty). Who is Gordon Gekko? Gordon Gekko is a coprorate raider,his career being summed up by two words:high rolling. And with Bud Fox having Gordon Gekko as his new client,he is destined to complete his climb to the top, The hope of saving the airline of his father(Martin Sheen)is now more possible.

However,not only is Bud Fox is a young broker,he is recent to the business. At the same time,Gordon Gekko is more invisible than people are aware of. And once Bud Fox has caught on to everything,his luck will befriend his past.

"Wall Street" is quite an intruiging film. The plot of "Wall Street" does a good job at tying and combining fiction and nonfiction together,in one entire film. From this,viewers get the entertainment and supsense that they want and would get out of any Oliver Stone film. Everthing moves along suspensefully,curiously,and entertaingly. The comprehensive acting brings everything to life. Viewers are shown the real Wall Street on a platter--getting to see what it is like,the reality of what being there is like paying respect to itself but giving the elements and the viewers plenty of space. How Wall Street specifically worked in the 80's sits right here,alongside the basic and crucial elements of the plot and screenplay. The only real souvenirs may be the New York cinematography and the outdated 80's technology that is to be found and used throughout the film. Yet,that doesn't matter. What matters is that "Wall Street" brings out everything that it is asked of:1)every element of any film being brought out and used appropriately and successfully,2)depicting what Wall Street is like,and 3)giving viewers an up close and personal look at how Wall Street worked during the Reagan administration. Add all of that together,and with "Wall Street",you have a top notch film.

As you have already noticed,this,right here,is the 20th Anniversary Edition of "Wall Street". Fortunately,this DVD lives up to its title. There are several wortwhile bonus feautures here:an introduction by Oliver Stone(this finds Stone discussing "Wall Street" and giving brief insight into it,sharing the meaning that it has to him),the documentary "Greed is Good"(a look at both the making of "Wall Street" and Wall Street itself,along with documentation of how the reality of Wall Street was tied in with this film and interviews/insight with/from Oliver Stone,Michael Douglas,Charlie Sheen,John C. McGinley,and several Wall Street brokers/workers),deleted scenes(about twenty,along with outtakes of the scenes and an optional commentary by Oliver Stone),and "Money Never Sleeps-The Making of Wall Stret"(pretty much the same thing as the "Greed is Good" documentary,more focused on the film than Wall Street itself). Add all of that together with Oliver Stone's commentary on disc one(the same one to be found on the original DVD,the only exception being the fact that it is extended)and a booklet that lists the "biography" of the making of "Wall Street",and you've got some good candy for a great film that is a representation of a riveting period in history.

Overall,if you have an interest with the way that Wall Street works and its whole overview,or with the films of Oliver Stone,you have come to the right place. Sit back,relax,and enjoy a great film with its deserved recognition supplementing it in the same place.

Early in the movie, Budd Foxx's fellow trader (account executive) makes a reference to the space shuttle Challenger tragedy and its effect on the market - a glaring continuity discrepancy since the movie takes place in the year 1985! Otherwise, this is a fine film - arguably one of Oliver Stone's better ones and admittedly this reviewer's favourite Stone picture.

Oliver Stone will never be known for subtlety. "Wall Street" bashes you over the head with its message- getting to the top in society requires duplicity, dishonesty, and the willingness to destroy any obstacle. However, unlike Ayn Rand, Stone vilifies rather than lauds this dubious morality. Bud Fox is a fresh faced, innocent stock broker trying to get ahead through hard work and elbow grease, as he was taught by his father. Bud soon meets powerful, charismatic corporate raider Gordon Gekko, incapable of love, remorse, or empathy. Gekko, we are told, sold NASA short 15 minutes after the Challenger exploded (impossible since the shuttle was destroyed in 1986 and the film is set in 1985!). Gekko predictably seduces Bud with his world of "perks", and Bud's star rises dramatically the farther he falls into corruption.

Throughout the film, Bud serves as a sounding board for the rival values of Gekko and his father. The speech most cited by critics and fans is the immortal "Greed is Good" monologue. While this speech, standing alone, is a vigorous defense of capitalism and selfishness, it is important to note that Gekko is using it at a shareholders' meeting against a lousy, entrenched, and greedy management!

Inevitably, Bud is forced to decide whether to follow his father's philosophy or Gekko's, and to pay the price for his misdeeds. A slight complaint with the ending- the fate of Gekko is hinted at rather than displayed. Gordon Gekko has become something of a hero for young, wanna-be big shots, who are attracted to the glamour of his lifestyle and his "up your's, I got mine!" attitude much as Bud was. Perhaps seeing Gekko get his comeuppance could have made an impression.

Overall, Wall Street is a tight, well done character drama populated with iconic characters delivering iconic dialogue that acts as an indictment of a decade. The movie and its message will stay with you long after viewing it.

As for the DVD, the sound, although in 5.1, is relegated almost exclusively to the center channel. One does not hear the sounds of Manhattan from all directions as Bud navigates the concrete jungle. The video quality appears grainy in some areas. This is a great movie worthy of better treatment on DVD.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Good.
'Wall Street' was a good movie, although once again, Oliver Stone goes way over the top. Powerful speech about greed by Michael Douglas though.

Published on July 2 2004 by Dhaval Vyas

5.0 out of 5 stars My favourite movie
I found this movie to be fantastic. I loved every minute of it. Most of this movie seemed to tie in with politics. Being a conservative, I found this very interesting. Read more

Published on Jun 8 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars STONE TRIED TO DISS CAPITALISM, GLORIFIED IT INSTEAD
In 1987 OLIVER STONE again starred Charlie Sheen, this time as Bud Fox, along with Martin Sheen and Michael Douglas, in "Wall Street". Read more

Published on Jun 7 2004 by Steven R. Travers

4.0 out of 5 stars Greed, for lack of a better word...is good
The above is part of the long speech that actor Michael Douglas gives as Wall Street power-player Gordon Gekko. Read more

Published on May 11 2004 by K. Gittins

5.0 out of 5 stars The Disease of Accumulation
WALL STREET is Stone's best film. Better than PLATOON. Better than JFK. Better than NATURAL BORN KILLERS. I can't believe how little praise it gets. Read more

Published on April 25 2004 by Inspector2211

2.0 out of 5 stars Are We Waching the Same Movie?
When people think of "Wall Street" they think about the classic line "Greed, for lack of better word... is good," and they remember a pretty good movie. Read more

Published on April 8 2004 by oezekoye

4.0 out of 5 stars A great film for Yuppie wannabees.
I saw this film back in college, late 80's early 90's, when I was more young and impressionable. I was a business major setting my sights on the world of Corporate America. Read more

Published on Feb 29 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Picture by Michael Douglas
If you have not seen this movie buy the DVD. Just a great movie/DVD.

One of the top 5 (best) films ever made. Read more

Published on Feb 14 2004 by J. E. Robinson

4.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE MOST FASCINATING MOVIES ABOUT THE MONEY.
In "Wall Street" everything moves around the money. The main motivation of Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) and Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) is getting as much money as they can, no... Read more

Published on Dec 7 2003 by Alejandro Cortes

4.0 out of 5 stars Stands the test of time: Wall Street still a great film
Sheen pulls out a terrific performance as does Hannah and Douglas. We can sympathize so much for Buddy as he goes after his dream with everything he has. Read more

Published on Nov 22 2003 by Alicia Walker

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